Restaurants recession proof in Thomasville?

THOMASVILLE, GA (WALB) - Owners of a couple of new restaurants think they can buck the recession and be successful during these tough times. A familiar burger joint just reopened in Thomasville and a new steakhouse opened in downtown Thomasville.

Owners say everyone has to eat., and they believe Thomasville's economy is unique.

Known for its wide-selection of family owned restaurants, good food isn't hard to find in Thomasville. And the selection is growing.

But during a recession, do people tend to cut back on trips to local restaurants? Whether you're going out for a steak dinner, or just a burger and fries, it can get expensive. But local restaurant owners here in Thomasville say, they're not worried.

"Dinner every night has been successful already," says the new owner of GG's On the Bricks.

Glenn and Cyndi Green didn't let the economy stop them from fulfilling their dream. They opened GG's On the Bricks, a new steakhouse downtown just last Friday. And while it was a risky move, this couple remains confident.

"We still feel like if we put out a good dinner, good atmosphere, somwhere for them to relax and get away from it all, that they'll come," says Glenn Green, owner of the steakhouse.

Just a few blocks down, another familiar restaurant, Chandler's, re-opened its doors Wednesday.

"It's a Thomasville landmark. I've been in Thomasville all my life and I've eaten at Chandler's all my life," says Jeff Hendricks, customer at Chandlers.

And the new owners are ready for 40 more good years in the rose city.

"I believe that people are going to eat. If you give them a good product, quick service, a clean place to eat. There's no recession on food," says Chandler's new owner Jimmy Cantrell.

"People do have to eat. And while people do cut back on going out to eat during a recession, there's always a reason to take advantage of restaurants. And having a variety in Thomasville is fantastic," says Melody Porter with the Chamber of Commerce in Thomasville.

So whether it's the city itself, or the mouth-watering food that's recession-proof is hard to tell. But one thing is for sure. People here eat well.

The Chamber of Commerce says more than just restaurants are opening. Since the beginning of this year 15 new businesses have joined the Chamber in Thomasville. Feedback

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